An inspiring guide aiming to answer all your questions about what to do on Bruny Island. Discover 11 unmissable things to do on your next visit to Bruny Island, one of Tasmania’s best island destinations.
Bruny Island is often recommended as a must-visit destination for travellers arriving in Tasmania. The truth is, this 362-square-kilometre island encapsulates a lot of what Tasmania is all about. Here, you’ll find abundant wildlife, sweeping vistas, awesome trails and of course, world-renowned produce.
In this guide, I aim to help you plan your next island trip by highlighting 11 unmissable things to do on Bruny Island, Tasmania. At the bottom of this post, I’ve also included a short Travel guide to Bruny Island, which includes things such as how to get there, where to stay, the best time to visit and a few extra tips to know.
I hope my tips and photography inspire you to visit this incredible part of Australia!
- Best Bruny Island Day Trip From Hobart
- Things to do on Bruny Island Tasmania
- 1. The Neck Lookout
- 2. Venture to Adventure Bay
- 3. Discover Local Bruny Island Produce
- 4. Jump on a Cruise With Bruny Island Cruises
- 5. Hike to the Fluted Cape
- 6. Drive to South Bruny National Park
- 7. Visit the Cape Bruny Lighthouse
- 8. Check Out the Rocky Archway at Mars Bluff
- 9. Spot A Rare Bruny Island White Wallaby
- 10. Stop By the Bruny Island Honey Company
- 11. Jump On a 10-minute Scenic Flight
- Bruny Island Travel Guide
- More Travel and Adventure Articles for Tasmania
Best Bruny Island Day Trip From Hobart
Travellers who don't have their own vehicle or would prefer to be shown the beautiful island of Bruny by a local guide– you're in luck.
There are several tour companies operating organised day trips to Bruny. However, they're not all equal and the price varies dramatically.
After a fair bit of research, the below trip by Bruny Island Safaris came out to be the best by far in terms of price and what you get.
This tour is one of the highest-ranked on GYG, with 4.9 stars total out of nearly 500 reviews at the time of writing.
Best price on line for an: Island Day Trip From Hobart
Things to do on Bruny Island Tasmania
Let's get into the guide! Here are 11 fun things to do on Bruny Island!
1. The Neck Lookout
The Neck Lookout is the iconic viewpoint overlooking the picturesque isthmus connecting North and South Bruny Island. You'll often see this lookout spot as the featured photograph on travel guides, magazines and travel blogs.
The Neck Lookout is easy to reach, with a pull-over parking bay on the Main Road. To be honest with you, if you're driving around the island, this spot is impossible to miss!
From the top of the 279 flight of timber steps is a great 360-degree vantage point overlooking the isthmus, separating the beautiful D'Entrecasteaux Channel from the Tasman Sea.
2. Venture to Adventure Bay
Adventure Bay is one of the best areas on Bruny Island for hiking, embarking on cruises and even staying on the island. In fact, Adventure Bay has its own local community, with many of the island's residents living in this area.
Something perhaps a little contrary to the name, this bay is also one of the most peaceful parts of Bruny. At the beach, you'll find calm, relaxing waters and pristine white sand. If you're looking for something on the calmer side of things to do on Bruny Island, this might be the spot.
3. Discover Local Bruny Island Produce
If you ask any Taswegian what you should see or do on Bruny Island, they'll often tell you to go and taste the local produce. That's because Bruny is well-known in Tasmania for its excellent, locally produced food. This is one of those places where Paddock to Plate really rings true.
For a short run-down, the most well-known include the Bruny Island Cheese Co, Get Shucked (oysters), The Bruny Island Chocolate Factory and Bruny Island Premium Wines.
4. Jump on a Cruise With Bruny Island Cruises
If this list of things to do on Bruny Island was in any type of order, then this south-coast Bruny cruise would be number one. Actually, the trips on Bruny Island Cruises have often rated as the best things to do in Tasmania!
Cruises depart from Adventure Bay, with opportunities to see seals, dolphins, whales and sea birds. A cruise is by far the best way to explore Bruny Island's rugged coastline, complete with epic sea cliffs, blowholes and coastal caves.
Book the best price online: Wilderness Cruise by Pennicott Wilderness Journeys
5. Hike to the Fluted Cape
If you'd rather explore the rugged coastal landscapes from the trail, then The Fluted Cape hike is one of the best on the island.
The Fluted Cape Walk also begins at the appropriately named Adventure Bay and climbs the cape along the east coast with plenty of incredible spots along the way to stop and admire the view.
6. Drive to South Bruny National Park
For those looking for things to do and what to see on Bruny Island that are truly off-the-beaten-track, consider heading down to the south coast to explore South Bruny National Park.
This national park is unofficially named the wilder side of Bruny. Here, you'll leave the culinary comforts behind to discover a dramatic landscape of elevated sea cliffs and windswept beaches surrounded by native rainforests.
RELATED POST: Guide to Visiting Maria Island
7. Visit the Cape Bruny Lighthouse
Cape Bruny Lighthouse is located on the southern tip of the island and accessible via a reasonably decent gravel road on the southwest fork, appropriately known as "Lighthouse Road".
Constructed in 1836, the Cape Bruny Lighthouse is the only Southern Tassie lighthouse that is available for tours and in my opinion, one of the most worthwhile to visit. This heritage-listed site towers 114 metres above the impressive cliffs and coves, which makes it ideal for photographers and history enthusiasts alike.
8. Check Out the Rocky Archway at Mars Bluff
One of the most popular hikes on the island is the Cape Queen Elizabeth Elizabeth track. This track departs from a small car park on Bruny Island Main Road, just opposite Bruny Island Honey (also on this list of things to see and do).
The highlight of the track is the much acclaimed Rocky Archway, located at Mars Bluff approximately 3-4 kilometres along the track.
In fact, many people don't make the hike to the cape, choosing instead to cut it short by visiting the archway instead. However, if you plan to do this, make sure to time the tides. You'll want to check out this attraction at low tide for the best photos!
9. Spot A Rare Bruny Island White Wallaby
The famous white wallabies are native to the island and one of the only places in Australia where you'll have a good chance of spotting one.
These white wallabies have a genetic defect that causes an imbalance of melanin, causing them to become albino. When this happens in other parts of Australia, they are often snatched up by predators before they are able to spread their genes.
However, due to the lack of predators on Bruny Island, these cute little guys are thriving. In fact, recent reports estimate the population to be around 200 white wallabies!
So, if you're visiting the island, one of the best things to do on is to see one of these rare little wallabies! A good place to see them is just beside the trailhead to the Fluted Cape Walk at East Cove (above).
The Ultimate Tasmania Travel Resource
Looking for more Tasmania travel guides & adventure inspiration? Below are my most comprehensive blog posts that will serve as a great free resource for your trip.
10. Stop By the Bruny Island Honey Company
A short drive north of The Neck Lookout on the Main Road, you'll find the official storefront for Bruny Island Honey. This honey company has been harvesting Tasmanian bee honey for over 20 years, with over 400 hives across the island.
What's unique about this honey shop is that they offer free tasting of their different products.
Each honey product is different based on the trees and native bushes in which the bees collect their nectar. I recommend trying the Prickly Box and the Manuka honey here if you're keen on adding something sweet to your list of things to do on Bruny Island Tasmania!
11. Jump On a 10-minute Scenic Flight
This last activity is by far the most epic thing to do on Bruny Island! There is one company that operates scenic flights over and they are known as Island Scenic Flights. You'll find their office just before the honey shop on the main road.
Check website: Scenic Flights
Bruny Island Travel Guide
That covers my list of what to do and see on Bruny Island. Have you found something that you believe is worthy of the list? Let me know in the comments below.
Otherwise, keep reading below for my travel guide answering all your questions about the visiting the island.
How to Get to Bruny Island
Bruny Island is located just south of Hobart and is accessible via a car ferry from the small port town of Kettering. If you have your own car, then this is the easiest and best way to explore Bruny, and quite affordable at only $32.20 per vehicle for a return trip with SeaLink.
For travellers flying into Hobart the most affordable car rental prices can be found on RentalCars.com which compares all rental cars from different rental companies to find the best deals.
Tip: Make sure to fill up your vehicle before embarking on the car ferry to Bruny Island. There is one petrol station on the island, but fuel prices are much higher.
Where To Stay on Bruny Island
Bruny Island is a wildlife, nature and culinary experience. This beautiful slice of Tassie is accessible via a short car ferry ride just south of Hobart. The best places to stay are around Adventure Bay.
- Adventure Bay Holiday Home - This is the best-rated holiday and vacation home on the island. It is conveniently located right in Adventure Bay, close to the Fluted Cape and the cruise terminal.
- Bruny Island Escapes and Hotel Bruny - Bruny Island Escapes have several cottages throughout Bruny all featuring a private balcony, log fireplace and full kitchen facilities.
STILL PLANNING? READ: Where to Stay in Tasmania: The 11 Best Areas
When Is The Best Time to Visit Bruny Island?
While you can visit Bruny Island at any time of year, the best time is generally between September–February. These months see warmer weather and the chance of spotting wildlife is higher.
How Long to Spend on Bruny Island
With all of the epic things to do on Bruny Island, it's no wonder people want to know how long to spend here. In my opinion, 2-3 days is the perfect amount of time to spend on the island checking out all the things worth seeing.
However, as I mentioned above, visitors short on time can see a lot in an action-packed day trip.
More Travel and Adventure Articles for Tasmania
That wraps up this travel guide to the best things to do and what to see on Bruny Island Tasmania. I hope you enjoy this epic slice of the island!
While you're here, make sure to check out some of my other guides to the state. I guarantee you will find loads of inspiring travel ideas as well as great hikes, waterfalls, and attractions.